John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images

Washington Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan is renowned for his willingness to add depth to bolster his team’s roster, and in many instances, these additions have paid dividends in their respective tenures with the team (see names such as Brett Connolly, Devante Smith-Pelly, Nic Dowd, among others). The most recent name that could be added to that list? Forward Conor Sheary.

Signed to a one-year, $735, 000 deal in December 2020, the former Pittsburgh Penguin and Buffalo Sabre impressed in his inaugural campaign in the District, recording 14 goals and 22 points in 53 Games Played, while establishing himself as a player available to Head Coach Peter Laviolette in just about any situation (mostly offensive) and on any line in which he is needed. Sheary’s steady play led to the Capitals signing him to a two-year contract extension. In 2021-22, that faith has paid dividends in a season in which the team has been beset by injuries, games missed due to coronavirus, and a rut of poor play to start 2022.

On March 5, Sheary scored two goals on three shots against the Seattle Kraken, finished with a plus-1 rating, and two blocked shots in 13:23 of ice time. Sheary’s first goal came on the power play, and his second with an empty-net. The second goal marked his 100th career goal and 200th career point.

Conor Sheary scores an empty net goal to extend the Capitals’ lead to 5-2. It marks Sheary’s 100th career goal and his 200th career point.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 6, 2022

After the game, Sheary was awarded the post-game axe (given by the precious recipient to the game’s offensive player of the game).

An axe for the century club#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Nby7x3xiwL

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 6, 2022

“It’s kind of a weird way to get your hundredth [speaking of the empty-net goal] but I’ll take it. Sometimes I think those milestones can get in your head a little bit so to get a nice, easy one was probably the best way to do it”.

Sheary’s power play marker continued a revitalized unit that has awakened from a prolonged lack of productivity, and marked his second power play goal of the season.

“I think we obviously got a few bodies back, we got Osh [T.J. Oshie] back, we got Mo [Anthony Mantha] back, Backy’s [Nicklas Backstrom] kind of finding his stride so I think we feel like we have two really good units that can work hard, use our skill to create opportunities. I think we have a lot more of a shot mindset, Ovi’s scoring from his office, but I think we’re scoring a lot of goals from net-front, which is key to a power play and I think it’s really been helping us the last few games”.

Sheary’s third, multi-point game of the season also gives him seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past seven games, during which time he has averaged 14:38 of ice time and has recorded a 20.0 Shot Percentage. Since the start of 2022 (during which time the Capitals’ struggled to play consistently), Sheary has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 20 games, averaged 15:18 of ice time, and on the season, has averaged 2:10 of power play time (eighth on the team), and ranks fifth in takeaways.

Conor Sheary scored two goals against Seattle, marking his third multi-goal game of the season. Sheary has recorded seven points (3g, 4a) in his last seven games.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 6, 2022

In 47 Games Played this season, Sheary has recorded 14 goals (fourth on the Capitals), 14 assists (sixth) 28 points (fifth). His career-highs offensively are 23 goals, 30 assists, and 53 points, which came during the 2016-17 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“It was a fun game. The building was loud … guys pulled together. Win’s a win.”

Tom Wilson and Conor Sheary postgame.#CapsKraken pic.twitter.com/16wpKIrRbY

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 6, 2022

By Michael Fleetwood